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Same Care, Lower Cost Act

USA119th CongressS-1629| Senate 
| Updated: 5/6/2025
John Kennedy

John Kennedy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Same Care, Lower Cost Act" proposes significant changes to Medicare Part B by establishing site-neutral payments for certain services furnished in ambulatory settings. Starting in 2027, this legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that payment rates for identified services are the same, regardless of whether they are provided in a hospital outpatient department, an ambulatory surgical center, or another appropriate setting. The Secretary is tasked with identifying at least 66 specific Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs) that are suitable for site-neutral payments. However, the bill explicitly exempts emergency department, critical care, and trauma care visits from these site-neutral payment provisions, reclassifying them as Comprehensive APCs. In implementing these changes, the Secretary is required to consider recommendations from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) regarding payment rate alignment across ambulatory settings.
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Timeline
May 6, 2025
Introduced in Senate
May 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • May 6, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 6, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Health

Same Care, Lower Cost Act

USA119th CongressS-1629| Senate 
| Updated: 5/6/2025
The "Same Care, Lower Cost Act" proposes significant changes to Medicare Part B by establishing site-neutral payments for certain services furnished in ambulatory settings. Starting in 2027, this legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that payment rates for identified services are the same, regardless of whether they are provided in a hospital outpatient department, an ambulatory surgical center, or another appropriate setting. The Secretary is tasked with identifying at least 66 specific Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs) that are suitable for site-neutral payments. However, the bill explicitly exempts emergency department, critical care, and trauma care visits from these site-neutral payment provisions, reclassifying them as Comprehensive APCs. In implementing these changes, the Secretary is required to consider recommendations from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) regarding payment rate alignment across ambulatory settings.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 6, 2025
Introduced in Senate
May 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • May 6, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 6, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
John Kennedy

John Kennedy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Finance Committee

Health

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted